Science Department
Most college admissions require a minimum of three years of laboratory science. Students planning a career in a medical field, science, engineering, or technical field should seek out a four-year science foundation based in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Argo has a two-year science requirement for graduation.
Course Offerings
9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | |
SC310 Biology | X | X | X | X |
SC910 Honors Biology | X | X | X | X |
SC340 Earth Science | X | X | X | X |
SC340H Honors Earth Science | X | X | X | X |
SC920 Honors Chemistry | A | X | X | X |
SC320 Chemistry | X | X | X | |
SC940 AP Environmental Science | X | X | X | |
SC990 AP Chemistry | B | B | B | |
SC680 Comparative Bio | X | X | ||
SC650 Medical Bio | X | X | ||
SC410 Physics | X | X | ||
SC930 Honors Physics | X | X | ||
SC980 AP Biology | X | X | ||
SC500 Forensics | X | |||
SC500H Honors Forensics | X | |||
SC975 AP Physics C | C |
A – Student must be enrolled in Honors Geo or Honors Geo10 as a freshman.
B – Student must have taken a previous chemistry course (2021-2022 9th graders can take AP Chem as 10th graders w/o summer course).
C – Student must have already taken or be enrolled in AP Calculus. Summer Science Bridge Program required if the student does not meet the AP Calculus requirement.
AP Environmental Science
SC930
Year 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
The AP Environmental Science course is a lab based course that is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships with the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.
The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science.
AP Environmental Science may cover but is not limited to the following 9 units:
Unit 1 |
The Living World: Ecosystems |
Unit 6 |
Energy Resources and Consumption |
Unit 2 |
The Living World: Biodiversity |
Unit 7 |
Atmospheric Pollution |
Unit 3 |
Populations |
Unit 8 |
Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution |
Unit 4 |
Earth Systems and Resources |
Unit 9 |
Global Change |
Unit 5 |
Land and Water Use |
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This course requires a teacher recommendation.
Comparative Biology
SC680
Year: 11, 12
Credit: 1
Comparative Biology is a two-semester lab-based course that relies heavily on dissection of several species of animals as comparisons in structure and function are made between different species. Human anatomy will NOT be discussed.
Do not take this course if you do not want to or are opposed to the dissection of various species.
The topics for this course include dissection techniques; muscular structure and development; arterial structure and development; evidence of evolution based on phylogeny.
Comparative Biology may cover but is not limited to the following 8 units:
Unit 1 |
Biological Design |
Unit 5 |
Circulatory System |
Unit 2 |
Skeletal System |
Unit 6 |
Digestive System |
Unit 3 |
Muscular System |
Unit 7 |
Nervous System |
Unit 4 |
Respiratory System |
Unit 8 |
Sensory Organs |
Honors Earth Science
SC340(H)
Year: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
If students elect to take this course for honors credit, there will be requirements in addition to those of SC340.
This lab-based course is designed as a one-year course with eight units of study that are tied together through a set of enduring topics that are emphasized throughout the course. The topics are designed to address three-dimensional learning standards including disciplinary core ideas, cross cutting concepts, and science practice. Topics include space systems; the history of Earth; Earth systems; weather and climate; human sustainability and impact.
Earth Science may cover but is not limited to the following 8 units:
Unit 1 |
Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics |
Unit 5 |
Climate Change and Weather |
Unit 2 |
Rock Cycle |
Unit 6 |
Earth, Sun, and Moon System |
Unit 3 |
Geologic History |
Unit 7 |
Our Solar System |
Unit 4 |
Evolution of Life |
Unit 8 |
Origin of Universe and Galaxies |
Honors Forensic Science
SC500(H)
Year: 12
Credit: 1
If students elect to take this course for honors credit, there will be requirements in addition to those of SC500. The Honors work will consist of either a biological or chemical emphasis dependent upon section instructor.
The purpose of this lab-based course is to gain experience in the most common investigative techniques currently used by forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, and other law enforcement agencies and to develop an understanding of the scientific concepts which serve as a basis for these techniques. At the end of the course students will be able to secure and document a crime scene; collect and evaluate DNA, blood, hair, fibers, and other trace evidence; chemically analyze unknown substances that might be found at a crime scene; use methods in forensic anthropology and psychology to evaluate evidence.
Forensic Science may cover but is not limited to the following 10 units:
Unit 1 |
Observation Skills |
Unit 6 |
Pathology |
Unit 2 |
Fingerprinting |
Unit 7 |
Anthropology |
Unit 3 |
Hairs and Fibers |
Unit 8 |
Casts and Impressions |
Unit 4 |
Toxicology |
Unit 9 |
Toolmarks |
Unit 5 |
Blood and DNA |
Unit 10 |
Handwriting and Forgery |
Completion of 3 Science credits or Department Chair approval is required to enroll in this course.